MOORHEAD, Minn. (8/21/08)-- A year ago the Cobber offense was the biggest question mark heading into the season. In 2008 it is one of the biggest strengths for the team.

The reason for all the optimism in the Concordia camp is that two of the top offensive backs in the league from 2007 return for their senior season in maroon and gold. The dynamic duo of quarterback Jesse Nelson and running back Cory Johnson return to give the Cobbers a dangerous 1-2 punch on offense. Nelson put up MVP-type numbers in 2007. He threw for 1,609 yards, completed 60.3% of his passes and had a pass efficiency rating of 147.61. He also ran for almost 600 yards. Johnson broke the school record for rushing yards in a career in 2007 and was named to the MIAC All-Conference Team for the third straight season last year. He finished the year with 2,424 career rushing yards. Johnson led the team in rushing with 879 and rushed for over 100 yards on four different occasions.

The pair helped Concordia score 416 points last season which set a new school record. The offense scored at least 50 points in four of the final six games of the year and along the way set a Cobber record for most touchdowns in a season (58). The CC offensive attack averaged 461.1 yards per game last season and amassed over 500 yards of total offense in five consecutive games.

Those two, along with the wide receiver tandem of Nick Alton and Jake Krause should help the Cobbers take pressure off of a remodeled offensive line at the start of the season. Alton led the team in receptions in 2007 (28) and Krause was the go-to guy near the end zone as he was the squad's top receiver in touchdowns with seven. Both wideouts have the ability to stretch defenses with speed and also make the highlight reel catch in traffic.

Even though Concordia only returns two starting lineman, offensive line coach Dan Kostich has produced two Mike Stam award winners for the top lineman in the conference in the past four seasons. Concordia is a traditional offensive lineman factory and Kostich will have many up-and-comers to choose from when writing out the starting lineup.

If Nelson and Johnson can pick up where they left off at the end of last season, then the Cobber offense should give Concordia fans plenty to cheer about in 2008.